The Village Watchdog

08/05/2023

In a first of many to follow. We start out focusing on the village board members. The ARB is well known for being one of the toughest boards on our east end. But what is not know that them members lack any experience, knowledge, or historic resumes. This issue we start with John Gregory, it was appointed to the Board by the past village mayor and still holds a seat.
Little know that on Sept 20, 2021, village officials caught Mr Gregory building onto a preexisting non-conforming building that requires permits and ZBA approvals. He was issued a stop work order. After nothing was filed with the building department, officials went back on October 12, 2021, to find work had continued and was completed. Officials filed a 30-day compliance order. On December 13th, 2021, Mr. Gregory filed for a permit. We did not find a $750 receipt for the ZBA. Nor did we find a penalty fee for work without approvals. So, you think it stops here. This is where the story starts. During all of this, Mr. Gregory sits on the board. They have applications in front of the board for approvals on new work and also amendments to prior approvals. Mr Gregory takes most of them very seriously and harsh. Except for one. 109 Hampton rd. He goes against every board member. Arguing the board is too hard on them. The interesting part of this is that the contractor is , Koral bros are also his contractor. Yet Mr Gregory did not recuse himself. Strange enough, Mr Gregory filed a permit and signed an affidavit of cost. The total cost of $4k.. for all that work. So you wonder. Were favors done? Did he falsely sign and have notarized a document?
Mr Gregory takes his position very seriously. He is known to drive around, take pictures, and notify the building department of anything he sees, not right.
He also has that mightier than thou attitude. Being also not to call locals villages like Brown.
So the question comes up. Do the village board members deserve better than thou treatment or should they also hold their own hands to the fire?
What are your thoughts?

08/01/2023

Congratulations to for finally obtaining their certificate of occupancy after almost 3 years at .polish.hall. the place is redone beautifully and can now open for business. The biggest dunce cap goes to Jay Fitzpatrick and his elm street strong organization for all the bulls #*t delays they trumped up against the rehabilitation of the old hall.
Hope Andera and company have a "meet the community party" so they see the real neighbors and supporters.
If you've never heard of look them up. They are the best on the island. They will be a great part of our community.

07/30/2023

Aug 23rd is the last informational luncheon before The Trade Expo "BIG T" on sept 16th. Mark your calendars. Don't miss what might just be the best thing that is happening for our communities and our youth!
Be a part, stop on by!

07/29/2023

As the StonyBrook Southampton campus continues to fall apart. A tragedy in another condemned building in the past week. 5 mature Eagles or Ospreys have died inside the building. It looks like the tarp covered roof that they built their nest on collapsed underneath them in the heavy rains dragging them down with it. The following heatwave over the last week led them to their demise as they were trapped inside the building.

07/25/2023

Luncheon tomorrow for the trade expo
This is not just for all

05/30/2023

Information Luncheon JUNE 7th.. not just construction companies, all business owners.

05/20/2023

WHAT, WHY, HOW.. the hell is Brown running for office again? REALLY? COME ON!
2 years after she received violations for WORKING WITHOUT A PERMIT.. say it again, 2 years! She has not even filed plans, when in front of ZBA and ARB.. our Ethics board sat silent.. she wants the office again.. our votes! Stranger than all this.. Billy Manger is running along side with 3 trustees who have all violated our codes and laws. All 3!
Bill can buy alot of things as a trust-fund baby.. he chose not to buy into Ethics and Morals.
They want us to believe little Jesse was the only t**d.. he is one of 4 votes that screwed up this village.. my prediction.. Village hall will still smell like poo-pooh with any of them left.

05/20/2023

Shady politics is starting already.. 3 campaign signs pop up on Main Prospect lawn.. 2 running for re-election and one trying to step up for Mayor.. This is 3 at of 4 that voted against the restaurant owner of for the cooper's beach concession..
it only shows one of 2 things, they are all 3 that stupid to place them there or they could careless of local laws and trespassing does not effect them.
Brown should honor trespassing laws, she cried about it for months when she was caught doing major construction on her home without permits..

06/17/2022

CLOSED! The building dept just labeled this complaint as resolved, NO action was taken, how can it be resolved? The evidence is clear, other municipalities are involved, but somehow, it was able to be resolved in less than 8hrs.

06/17/2022

Locals are hosting a cocktail party in support of our village employees. Please lets show a strong support tomorrow between 3-7 at 136 Main St. Lets show how much we appreciate all the people who make our village beautiful and run it the best they can. No politics, just fun!

06/16/2022

The Village does NOT recognize JUNETEENTH as a holiday for UNION Employees. Village Hall is closed Monday in recognition but Union employees have been asked to give up a holiday in order to get JUNETEENTH. Robin Brown either has no interest, no clue or chose to remain silent! Village Hall has 14 holidays with the new JUNETEENTH day off. Union employees have 13. What holiday does Jesse think they should give up?
It is embarrassing, Jesse had a "BLM" support sign on one of his shops and a "white silence equals violance" on his nugent shop.

06/16/2022

Bill wants to prove he is independent, he is running with everyone!
Seems like the only time he is not lying is when his mouth is shut!
Just what we need, another trust-fund baby on our board.
Obviously Bill knows what is going on in the village, yet he plays numb to it. Think he believes they are Teflon and he wants to be too!

06/15/2022

06/12/2022

You need to look who really runs our elections. Think about how people who nobody knows, socially awkward, no presence and could never fill or entertain a room. How could Warren, Arresta and Brown ever get elected? How could the people appointed to our board seats with out any experience, knowledge and any type of resume get chosen.
Look at the Associations that have hurt and destroyed our village for decades try to stop change.
These are our true enemies, they have controlled the last few elections, SH Assoc built a machine. People going around harvesting ballots, kids handling out ballots. People going into the nursing home for absentee votes. Association members including Jay Desing himself calling to help people fill in ballots.
How long do these associations believe they can not be touched, working as a non profit, how would IRS, state and federal agencies see their tampering with elections? Sooner or later, people who believe they are Teflon always get stuck. Maybe, just maybe, this is the election that takes them down.
It only takes one squealler to take an organization to it knees. Just one!

06/11/2022

Our Mayor is being so helpful, Village Hall was open today to help people drop off their absentee ballots. A few people took full advantage and dropped off boxes of ballots just before the Village closed at 4pm.
If you remember last year both The Mayor and Charlene were served a court order restraining notice keeping them away from tampering with the ballots. So far this election they are free to do whatever they want. Remember 2 years ago Jesse was accused of ballot tampering. This election he might be to busy closing up stores through the night.

06/11/2022

It's harvest season again for our election and village hall is open on Saturday to collect all! Ballot harvesting is illegal in our country, but thanks to our Mayor he changed village law making it legal!
A group of high school students are going around with absentee ballots saying they work for the village followed by phone call to the recipients from the members of the Southampton association explaining how to fill them out and making arrangements to have them picked up, (good neighbor policy)
Ever wonder who really runs our village?

06/11/2022

Mayor Jesse closes store in middle of night. After not paying rent, he brings in crews to remove everything under cover of darkness just as season begins. No signs or markings on windows indicating he moved or relocated. He just vanished! I guess businesses do not fall under the same eviction laws as residential. So squatting was not an option!

06/04/2022

Joe Shaw, Gina Arresta called Devito by name in your debate, accused him of wrongfully attacking her. She does this as he has supplied proof Gina, Robin Brown, Mayor Jesse warren and 3 ARB members (so far) have been caught doing illegal construction on their houses and buildings. Since she called him out by name, there should be an opportunity to defend his actions.

06/03/2022

How are they in office and on our boards? With 3 out of 4 Trustees, our Mayor and 2 ARB members, now the 3rd ARB member, the arrogant John Gregory of Halsey st. was caught last September building an illegal pergola on a non conforming accessory building. It not only needed a building permit, it required side yard relief from the Zoning board. The member of the ARB was verbally asked to stop work, as he said he would stop and get required permits only a verbal stop work order was issued. But the arrogance of Mr Gegory, he completed the work anyway. Since than, he did get ZBA approval. He did obtain a building permit, and he was granted a Certificate of occupancy 2 weeks ago. He paid a modest $50 permit fee claiming the cost was $4k. Why are these people appointed by the Mayor on our boards? Where are our Ethics Board members? We are going to file a complaint with the Integrity Bureau. We have found all 3 members we have investigated committed wrong doings. We have 2 more ARB members to look into before we move to the other boards. As we have 100% caught these people, our guess we will continue to be successful!
Voice your opinion, write the Ethics Board, speak out. They have to go!
Petty criminals want to run out village, control our building dept, public works, fire dept and most of all, Police Dept.

05/28/2022

Fitzpatrick and Zinder's attempt to have the certificate of occupancy changed at Polish Hall 230 Elm St fell short as they realized not all board members are under the Mayors and Trustees thumb. Fitzpatrick know for harvesting over 100 ballots last election for Jesse and company could not collect on the debt they owe him this round. The leaders of elm street strong a small group of newbies in the village feel they can shut down the venues that have been here for decades before them. With the help of the Mayor and trustees that are beholden to them, they are continuing to shut down elm street Friday and Saturday nights hoping to financially hurt the businesses. The Mayor has them in direct contact with the SLA voicing complaints. And as Jesse like to do, go directly to NYS Troopers for all complaints!
Fitzpatrick and Zinder should be embarrassed with their behavior, but show no shame. They have a mission close these businesses and hope to increase their home values. Jesse and the other trustees will continue to support them as they supply the votes that keep them in their seats.

05/27/2022

We found some information from a reliable source that Trustee Arresta was incharge of accounting and maintenance of the community she lives in called Settlers Landing. She was accused of taking kickbacks, having work done her own house and overcharging fees to other residents. As we are investigating this and looking to write the story. Anyone with information will be helpful, it will be confidential!

05/27/2022

Trustee Arresta trying for re-election with her running mate Bill Manger.. Honest- trustworthy & experience! Backed by our Mayor and sheltered from the board of Ethics Review.
No Shame, should be embarrassed! Proof is in plain sight!
1. Illegal garage conversion.
2. Illegal finished basement.
3. Illegal bedroom in basement.
4. Illegal 2 bedrooms
(CO and septic system 3 bedrooms)
5. Illegal shed encroaching side yard setback.

05/23/2022

Another village board member building with code violations.
When you attend an ARB meeting it is clear that the board members have no experience, no resume and no knowledge. They were placed there from the association. But when you see them committing code violations, you know it was not on accident. Trustee Arresta's neighbor and choice for ARB seat.. amazing how they don't practice what the force upon others!

05/21/2022

As our Trustee is trying to make the illegal garage conversion and illegal finished basement go away. More proof comes out with other work illegally done on her house, solar panels, swimming pool.. She can lie to the building dept all she wants, the work is done and the proof is out now

05/21/2022

23 Main Street remains silent as proof comes out against top officials. Board of Ethics should be held accountable or also resign.

05/20/2022

Mayor appointed ARB member breaking all the rules on her own house. Open permits from 2013, building dept requested for her to close out permits in 2017. House does not have a Certificate of Occupancy since 2013. No board approvals, did file proper plans, did not provide landscape plan. Did not file for proper permits. No shame!

05/05/2022

It seams the village can not get their act together as a post comment is made public by the village administrator and than quickly taken down.
No action taken for Mayor and both trustees working without permits.

04/19/2022

Jesse Warren the Mayor of The Village of Southampton breaking his villages rules and codes. Living in his own home without a Certificate of Occupancy. Looking into the files, he only had one inspection from the building dept, he ignored the process is pushes others to abide by. He also ignored a request from the village Fire Marshall to close out the open permit September 2021 over 8 months ago.
He has no respect for the process. But, has done better than Robin Brown who not only missed inspections, she did not build to NYS or our village codes. She must have thought she would get away with it like Trustee Gina Arresta who has not obtained and permits or inspections. You must ask yourself, if they are getting caught doing small little petty actions, how can you trust them with something big. Do the have any morals?
These people are writing laws & codes, these people are putting members on our boards, setting up committees.
And most of all, want to be in charge of putting a cheif from out of the area in our Police dept.
How can we trust any of them or their appointed members?

04/16/2022

Great article, well written and so true. Where are the Ethic board members? Wait till they realize it is the Mayor and every trustee. Sorry to say we also got word even Joe is part of this illegal property group.
Next, we will check out every board member, one by one.

04/13/2022

No Shame, Southampton Village Mayor living with people in his potato field ct home without a C of O and an open building permit. A clear violation as he has used this in the past to attack businesses and owners himself. What Oath of office did he take? Did he understand it? He should be embarrassed